newlydiagnosedwithalzheimer'sdisease.

When your parent, other family member or a friend has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, this is a crucial time for you to begin to make the transition to acceptence of the disease. In theory it sounds simple. The doctor has made his diagnosis, and now all involved will move forward with available treatment and we will all adapt.

Unfortunately, when diagnosis comes, many are caught off guard. Sure your mom, dad or friend who has just been diagnosed may have been exhibiting signs of forgetfulness, but often the diagnosis that they have Alzheimer’s Disease often comes as a shock. So, what should you do?

First ask the physician who made the diagnosis for EVERY resource on the disease he/she has. The next step is the Internet. There are dozens upon dozens of websites with quality information about the disease. From the basic to the complex clinical analysis.

Educate yourself with as wide a scope as you can. I also suggest you start or join a support group. The reason for this is to exchange opinions in an open forum with others going through what you are. What is often so very difficult about this disease is the person afflicted often is in very good health. They are active, strong (and if in the early stages of Alzheimer’s) still act like they always did in the past a measurable portion of the time.

Support groups among siblings can be very effective. Or you could join a neighborhood support group (most local newspapers have announcements for meetings). The Internet also has online support groups.

The reason for all of this right from the beginning is often family and friends have a very hard time accepting the diagnosis. For adult children this is especially true. Mom and dad have often been the beacon of strength for the family. The thought that they are going to lose mental ability and cognitive function is a blow to the stability of standardized living. We are indeed creatures of habit and routine. The “order” of things will now shift, and that is a very difficult concept for even the most well adjusted adults.

Once everybody can accept the diagnosis, then they can move forward and have as productive and positive a relationship with the Alzheimer’s patient as possible. This may sound like a cold and calculating approach. There will of course be times of tears and comforting. But the earlier family and friends can accept that their loved one has a disease (a disease that at this time has no cure and will worsen) then the sooner they can move forward with their warm and loving relationship with the Alzheimer’s patient.

And with the trial and testing of new Alzheimer’s drugs and the further awareness society has about the disease, interaction and communication (as well as adaptation) can me made easier.

But to be very honest, I believe if those affected by the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease of a loved one are accepting of the disease sooner rather than later, it will be most beneficial for all those involved.

The most important thing to consider at this point is communication with the Alzheimer’s patient will become more difficult as time progresses. Very often normal logical approaches in communication will have to be dismissed. But interaction can still be very communicative with the Alzheimer’s patient. This website offers many interaction techniques to make your life, the Alzheimer’s patient’s, and anyone else involved, as comfortable and productive as possible.